The Seduction Game by Anastasia Maltezos Read Free Book Online Page A

told him where the bathroom was and after he left, she wondered over his abrupt change of mood. When he returned she noticed his grim expression.
    “Adam, I’m sorry. I hadn’t meant to pry. It’s just Dana never mentioned you were so successful. She led me to believe that you were…that you…” She blushed.
    “Were struggling to make ends meet?” he replied cynically. “Perhaps I was fifteen years ago, but not anymore.” His mouth softened a little. “You thought I was struggling and yet you still met me?”
    “Money does not make the man, Adam,” she said.
    “You’re right. Money does not make the man, but it helps secure a stable future.”
    “You mean how you struggled fifteen years ago?”
    “Yes. I had Dana to think about. She was just a child then and I was thrust into the role of a parent.”
    “How did you manage to go to school, work, and take care of Dana?” Was it her imagination or was he starting to look uncomfortable again?
    Adam was literally saved by the bell when the buzzer sounded, signaling the pizza. Kate reached for her purse, but Adam intervened, placing his hand on hers, sending darts of heat up her arm. She drew back with questioning eyes.
    If he felt the same awareness for her, he made no signs of it. “Please, allow me. It’s the least I can do after you expected a nice dinner at Ricardo’s tonight.”
    It perturbed her how cool and collected he appeared. “Thank you.”
    A few minutes later they were eating pizza in front of the coffee table.
    “You were right,” Adam said appreciatively after he devoured his first slice. “Mama’s Pizza does make the best pepperoni and double cheese in town.”
    Kate smiled. “Mm. It’s too good, I’m afraid. I had pizza for lunch with Lindsay.” She made a face. “If I keep this up, I’ll have to join a gym.”
    He ran a deliberate gaze over her body, until it came to rest on her flushed face. “You look fine to me. Contrary to what women think, most men do not find skinny women appealing.”
    “Oh,” Kate said in a small voice. Was he telling her he found her attractive? The realization should have pleased her, leaving her no doubt a man who cavorted with bad girls could find a nice girl attractive, but right now it only alarmed her. Her gaze wavered under his.
    “If, however, you would like to get more into shape with cardiovascular routines and weights, I can recommend a good gym.” He gave her the name of a reputable health club in the city. “I’m there every Sunday with Kyle, a very good friend of mine. Best time is the afternoon. Two o’clock. Less traffic then.” He reached for another slice. “If you show up tomorrow, you’ll find me on the racquet ball courts.”
    What a perfect opportunity. She could show up as Katrina, the bad girl. She tried to contain her excitement. “Mm. That could be a possibility.” This evening was going better than planned. For one, he expressed appreciation for her nice girl persona, and two, she had the perfect venue for presenting her bad girl persona.
    He glanced at the DVDs in Barbara’s wall unit. “I see you’re something of a movie buff.”
    “Actually, I’m more of a book lover. I have quite a collection at home,” she replied without thinking. She froze as his dark brows went up. This was supposed to be her home. “It’s funny how I still think of my mom’s house as my home. She…she doesn’t mind my little library over there, though. She says it makes her feel like I still live there.” She took a sip of her soda. “It was the strangest thing. I sent away for ten free movies last year and they keep sending me four titles every month.” Adam’s mouth quirked and she cleared her throat. “Dana said it’s been just the two of you since she was eight years old,” she rushed on, grabbing the first thing from her mind. “What happened to your parents?”
    A shadow darkened his handsome face. “They died in a boating accident. I was eighteen, barely out of